South Africans are celebrating the victory of their national rugby team in the rugby World Cup Saturday night in France. The Springboks, as they are known, defeated defending world champions England 15-6 in a hard-fought contest whose scoring was entirely on penalty kicks. Correspondent Scott Bobb reports on the celebrations from Johannesburg.
Millions of South Africans gathered in cafes, stadiums and private homes to cheer their national rugby team to victory.
Rugby, until recently, was a sport dominated by the white minority. But that has changed since the end of apartheid 13 years ago and South Africa's first rugby world championship in 1995.
"It's not about race. It's about South Africans being together. So as far as I am concerned this is a victory to [for] peace. This is a victory to unity. And this is a victory to Ubuntu [unity]," said Ignatius Qulu, one of the fans at a trendy café in Johannesburg.
South African President Thabo Mbeki flew to France Friday to watch the game and former President Nelson Mandela, considered the team's inspirational leader, sent a videotaped message of support.
Soccer is South Africa's most popular sport but fans like Philadelphia Lekgetho said rugby was now also a favorite.
"It's the first time I am here actually watching rugby. I usually watch soccer. So I am enjoying myself. It's really fun," said Lekgetho. "I'm out here with my friends, having fun."
As the referee blew the final whistle the crowd erupted in victory chants.
The celebration continued late into the night, spilling out into the streets in what became parades of honking cars draped with the national flag.
And South Africa's newspapers, some of which appeared late Sunday in order to report the game final, lavished praise on the team in front page spreads dominated by the team's green and gold colors.
